Govt eyes raising tourism's GDP contribution to 6-7pc

Dhaka: The government is aiming to increase the tourism sector's contribution to Bangladesh's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 6-7 percent through long-term policy reforms, infrastructure development and stronger industry collaboration, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Executive Committee of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) in Dhaka on August 2, the minister said the government is working to develop a modern, sustainable and globally competitive tourism industry.

She said an integrated Tourism Master Plan covering 1,498 tourist destinations across the country is currently being prepared to guide future development of the sector. The government is also implementing a nationwide Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) to generate reliable tourism data for policy planning and called on industry stakeholders to support the initiative.

Highlighting key priorities, Afroza said the government remains committed to developing Cox's Bazar into a regional tourism hub, expressing optimism that the new international airport in the coastal town would help attract more overseas visitors.

The minister also revealed plans to introduce special accommodation discounts at Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (BTC) hotels and motels for expatriate Bangladeshis in recognition of their contribution to the national economy.

Congratulating TOAB's newly elected leadership, she expressed hope that the association would play an active role in strengthening Bangladesh's tourism industry through closer public-private collaboration.

The program was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, tourism stakeholders and industry representatives.